Hyundai to launch Santa Fe EDIT: Now launched

This is a discussion on Hyundai to launch Santa Fe EDIT: Now launched within The Indian Car Scene, part of the BHP India category; I was initially exited when I read the review. But at 22+ lakhs, this will be one big flop show ...

I was initially exited when I read the review. But at 22+ lakhs, this will be one big flop show as Hyundai is not yet an accepted brand in that price range.

The sonata embera is a fantastic car for the price, but yet you see a lot more accords and camrys. When you are shelling out 22+ large ones you need the right symbol on your hood and Hyundai doesn't cut it yet.

If they serious they should bring it in as CKD and price it at 15 to 17 lakhs.

This is one of those very good SUV's in the market. I have driven one for more than 500 miles in all types of terrain. Though the one i drove was petrol version it is still a very good, competent SUV with decent road manners and good quality interiors for the price.

Still 22 lakhs plus is a big amount. They should bring it to like 20 lakhs on road and see it sell better than at current price.

I hope Hyundai has learnt from its past mistakes ! Tucson / Terracan were very well ahead of it's time in india. Offlate with its i10 & i20 Product line hyundai has been gaining grounds slowly.But they were not able to do the same in it's premium segment vehicles.

I guess we need to keep a watch on the pricing and hope hyundai turns the tables this time.

The Autocar article mentions the presence of a rollover sensor in addition to the six airbags and stability control. If the Santa Fe gets a rating of "good" on the IIHS rollover roof strength test, and the India-market version gets all these safety features as well as 3-point seatbelts and adjustable headrests for all passengers, a spare tyre (instead of BMW's idiotic runflats), a manual gearbox, a powerful and reliable diesel engine, very good air conditioning, an extended warranty and Hyundai's excellent service, the 20+ lakh price will be worth it.

Let us keep our fingers crossed that it receives a rating of "good," and nothing less.

And the USA government's safercar.gov site has tested and given it five stars for passenger safety.

Autocar India Anniversary Edition (September 2010) has a review on Santa Fe.
Here are the main points:
1. "The seven-seat Santa Fe is very user friendly and hard to fault."
2. "It's not as heavily styled like Hyundai's latest iX35 crossover but the Santa Fe's fluid and smooth shape still looks quite contemporary."
3. "When viewed from the side, the Santa Fe looks big and hints at space inside."
4. "The Santa Fe is very easy on the eyes and overall, you definitely won't be disappointed with it's looks."
5. "Interiors are well equipped but finish could be better."
6. "Step inside the Santa Fe after admiring the impressive exterior and you will be disappointed. The dashboard shape, the layout and design of switches feel out of place in today's day and age."
7. "On the upside, there is no skimping on the equipment list".
8. "Front, side and curtain air-bags combined with active head-rests, rollover sensor, ESP and ABS with EBD explain the Santa Fe's four-star NCAP rating."
9. "The seats themselves are quite comfortable for average-sized adults. The middle seat, where many owners will spend time (behind their chauffeurs), has a nice and tall seating position but it could do with better under-thigh support."
10. "Compared to other seven-seaters like the Captiva, the Hyundai feels significantly more spacious."
11. "Back in the driver's seat, fire the engine, select first with the familiar-looking gear lever, release the unduly heavy clutch and get ready for a shock. The engine is the Santa Fe's biggest surprise and the punch delivered by the 2.2 litre CRDi motor is truly astounding."
12. "The Santa Fe's steering doesn't have the sharpness of the CRV and the soft suspension set-up gets the near two-tonne SUV rolling around a fair bit. The MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link with anti-roll bars at the rear do a good job of ironing out bumps and the ride is quite pliant. However, it feels a touch restless on uneven surfaces and the ride isn't as settled as we would have liked."
13. "However, with no low-ratio, hardcore 4x4 terrain is best left to the big boys."

Sante Fe will buckle to Toyota Fortuner, and Hyundai will blame poor sales of their 22 Lakh SUV as a reason to phase it off. It will soon be available sub-10 Lakhs - and will be next pre-owned car!!!

Well Hyundai website officially quotes Santa FE Launched. Well @ Phoenix it has always been the Japanese domination globally. But for a company to rise to World No.4 in just 25 to 30 years when put against almost 100 year old competitors is a great achievement.

@All: This in my opinion time Fortuner will buckle. Santa Fe will emerge as the class leader amongst all. Please have a look at the specs. 197 ps @ 3800 rpm and a whopping 42.9 kgm torque @ 1800 rpm outclasses everyone.